Off-season speculation came to a head over the weekend when ESPN first reported a deal to send the English fullback to the New York Red Bulls was being penned late last week.

Since then, multiple Big Apple outlets have confirmed a deal for the embattled 24-year-old is simply awaiting league approval.

“Last year, Richard was on a high number,” Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko told TSN on Saturday. “We had to determine if that made sense. We figured it didn’t.”

According to salary figures released by the MLS Players’ Union, Eckersley cap hit in 2013 was roughly $310,000.

But sources privy to TFC’s books told the Sun last year that Eckersley’s cap hit was actually much higher — closer to $500,000, an unthinkable number for an MLS club to be paying a fullback.

Things with the Englishman took a bizarre turn late last season when after being scratched from TFC’s lineup with an apparent injury ahead of an away date at Red Bull Arena, Eckersley told a handful of reporters he wasn’t actually injured at all.

“I was injured, apparently, but I wasn’t,” Eckersley said last October. “I was OK. I had a bit of a dead leg. I’ve played on dead legs before.”

It was more or less the start of the former Manchester United defender’s impending exit, especially when his post-season news conference was a farewell to fans.

“It’s disappointing,” Eckersley said at the time. “But I can understand (head coach Ryan Nelsen’s) point. He’s planning for the future.

“It’s clear to see that I’m not going to be here next season. I’d like to stay in MLS.”

It’s looking like that’ll be the case, meaning the Reds will see an old foe three times this season.

The Reds play host to the Red Bulls on May 17 before two away dates at Red Bull Arena on June 27 and Oct. 11.

It’s unclear if TFC will receive anything other than cap relief in return for Eckersley’s departure.

LABA’S STATUS UP IN THE AIR

Matias Laba remains in camp with Toronto FC as the club continues to mull its options.

At issue is the young Argentinean’s high-priced Designated Player contract.

The Reds were set to enter this season with three DPs — Laba, Jermain Defoe and Gilberto — until U.S. international Michael Bradley became available a few weeks back.

After inking Bradley, the Reds appear to have four high-priced players.

The league allows for teams to carry a maximum of three DPs.

“We have four or five options that we’re looking at right now,” Bezbatchenko told TSN Radio on Saturday.

“We are really trying to work him in. A midfield of Bradley-Laba would be formidable, one that everyone would be scared of in the league.”

If Eckersley’s impending exit doesn’t provide enough cap flexibility, TFC’s front office could look to utilize Major League Soccer’s intraleague loan mechanism, a scenario that would likely see Laba sent to a Western Conference MLS team while TFC doesn’t completely relinquish his rights.

Other options include an MLS trade, an international loan or selling the 22-year-old holding midfielder overseas less than a year after purchasing him from Argentinos Juniors.

SEASON SEAT SALES

The Toronto Sun has learned that Toronto FC is tracking a season ticket renewal rate of around 95% ahead of the 2014 season, with 2,500 new season seat holders joining the fold since the process opened this month.

Toronto FC will cap season seats at 17,000 to allow for partial packs and a small number of walk-up tickets each game.

MLSE head honcho Tim Leiweke told the Sun earlier this month he expected to reach that number, indicating every home TFC date this season will be sold out.

TFC ALUMNI

Former Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu is reportedly set for an MLS return.

The 27-year-old U.S. international is finalizing a deal with the Philadelphia Union, according to Goal.com.

After TFC selected Edu out of Maryland with the first overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, the Reds sold Edu to Rangers after just one season.

Following a successful four years with the Scottish side, Edu signed a three-year deal with Stoke City of the Premiership in 2012.

Since then, Edu’s has become a ghost, leading to his eagerness to return to MLS.